Corn cob biochar as agricultural waste management for increasing soil resilient and crop yield

Research Centre for Food Crops, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bogor, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: lelanurida@yahoo.com

Abstract

For the purpose of climate change mitigation and adaption, biochar is a solution for managing agricultural waste by maximizing its addition to soil. The conversion of corn cobs to biochar have advantages in terms of waste management and improving soil properties. This research aims to utilize corn cob biochar to enhance soil properties and corn yield. The study was conducted on September to December 2021 at Karangrejo village, South Lampung. The research arranged by randomized block design with 6 replications. The treatments tested were: 1) manure compost 2 tha^-1; 2) corn cob biochar (CCBC) 5 tha^-1+compost manure 2 tha^-1; 3) Co-compost CCBC-manure 7 tha^-1 and 4) Co-compost CCBC-manure 5 tha^-1. Parameters observed were soil properties and dry grain yield. The research results showed that after one season, the application of CCBC, either as a single or in co-compost biochar-manure, increased soil porosity, soil pH to be 4.68 but no significantly differences in soil organic carbon content. The addition of co-compost CCBC-manure of 7 tha^-1 or 5 th^-1 was able to decrease the Al³⁺ content and increase dry grain as well. The conversion of corn cobs into biochar was not only increasing soil properties but also reduces carbon loss from agricultural waste.